June 14: I Confess

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is June 14th, and our story is, I Confess. In 1813, Father Anthony Coleman, S.J., had a secret, and he wasn't telling. Two penitents had entrusted the secret to him during the Sacrament of Confession.

When the penitents confessed their crime, receiving stolen goods, they also mentioned the names of the thieves who brought them the goods. After hearing their confession, Coleman made the penitents return the items to their rightful owner. The local magistrate, however, wasn't satisfied. He wanted to know who stole the goods in the first place. Accordingly, he summoned Coleman, then vicar general of the Diocese of New York, to court, and demanded that he reveal the Thebes' names.

Coleman protested. He couldn't do that. The seal of the confessional bound him to silence. For his silence, the magistrate charged the priest with contempt of court. As word of Coleman's secret leaked out, anti-Catholic New York rose up in protest.

To them, the priest's refusal to cooperate looked like further proof that American democracy and Catholic superstition were incompatible. The threat of violence loomed. To keep the peace, local authorities convinced the magistrate to drop the charges. By then, however, Catholics didn't want that. They recognized that the inviolability of the confessional in legal proceedings needed to be addressed sooner or later. The threat of violence loomed. It took the Court of General Session six days to decide the case, and on June 14, 1813, it delivered its verdict, not guilty.

In a statement issued afterward, New York's Mayor DeWitt Clinton defended the court, saying, Although we differ from the witness and his brethren in our religious creed, yet we have no reason to question the purity of their motives or to impeach their good conduct as citizens. They are protected by the laws and constitution of this country in the full and free exercise of their religion, and this court can never or authorize the application of insult to their faith or of torture to their consciences.

Stand in firm in principle may invite criticism or risk, but it also safeguards justice and spiritual integrity. Coleman's story challenges us to honor our ethical and religious responsibilities, advocating for the rights of conscience while fostering mutual respect in a pluralistic society.

Moral courage preserves both faith and freedom. Identify a situation where standing by your conscience might require courage, and prayerfully prepare for it. Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader Podcast. Join us tomorrow, June 15th, for another story of faith and courage in America.